Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 37

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

MEND’s S/W Commander Disarms, Accepts Amnesty

Another MEND leader, Kille Selky Torughedi popularly known as ‘Commander Young Shall Grow’ has disarmed in Bayelsa. Torughedi, leader of the South-West wing of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), led over 250 lieutenants to submit three gun boats and hundreds of assault rifles in line with the disarmament programme. The militia leader explained that though the militia leaders in the region never had the intention of holding the Federal Government to ransom through constant attacks on oil facilities; it was something they had to do to draw attention to the neglect of the region.

MEND Calls for Probe into Source of Arms Surrendered

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has asked the FG to conduct an investigation to determine the source of the arms turned in by the former militants. MEND has disclaimed the arms surrendered by its former colleagues in Bayelsa state, saying the weapons were “bought” by the state government and that the army also provided some of the weapons displayed. The state government also responded to the allegation, dismissing it as “mere propaganda.”

Boy Regains Freedom from Kidnappers

Imo State Police Command has rescued a 12-year old boy, Bethel Onyekwere, who was kidnapped and locked up for nine days. The state commissioner of Police, Mr. Aloy Okorie, said that the driver of the traditional ruler of Ngurunweke, Mbaise, Onuoha Chisom, lured the boy away from the palace. Okorie further disclosed that the Command also smashed a car snatching gang and recovered some stolen cars.

IG Redeploys Abia Police Chief

Abia State Police Commissioner, Edgar Tam Nanakumo, has been transferred to the Force Headquarters, and has been replaced by Jonathan Johnson. The comes after the Abia State House of Assembly passed a motion asking for the redeployment of the heads of the security agencies in the state for failing to arrest the increasing spate of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state. Meanwhile, detectives in the state have rounded up five teenagers suspected to belong to a secret cult in Umuahia, while allegedly carrying out initiation ceremony.

Ateke, Farah Assured of Safety under Amnesty

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Wednesday, assured the Leader of Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), Mr. Tom Ateke, Farrah Dagogo, and other militants in the state yet to embrace the FG’s amnesty that no harm would come to them. Ateke has constantly expressed fear that due to the stance of the Amaechi regime on militancy, that he might come to harm if he comes out of the creeks with the Joint Task Force (JTF) men still maintaining their presence in the waterways. Amaechi urged them to embrace the amnesty before its expiration, adding that the state would rehabilitate those who embrace the amnesty.

Kidnapped 9-year-old Rescued

A nine year old boy, Ugochukwu Chikezie, kidnapped from Church of God Mission, Port Harcourt allegedly with the connivance of the head of workers in the children department, Mr. Arthur Mikehimme, has been rescued after nearly two weeks in captivity. Chikezie was alleged lured away from a church service by the children teacher, who has been arrested, according to security sources.

Amnesty: Militants Want Payment for Arms
...Protest in Bayelsa

Hundreds of militants in Bayelsa state at the weekend expressed displeasure over the shoddy manner in which the government is handling the amnesty process regarding their allowance and up-keep at the rehabilitation centres. They claimed that they were promised N10million allowance each to take care of their families before the colourful disarmament ceremony of Saturday August 22. They threatened that if they were not paid their allowance and their deplorable rehabilitation centres refurbished 24 hours after their protest, they would return to the creeks to resume militancy.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Suspected Kidnappers Nabbed in Sapele
…as Woman is Abducted in Asaba

Three boys suspected to have recently kidnapped two children of an Indian national in Sapele, Delta State, have been arrested by the police. The victims had, however, been released to their parents. Meanwhile, the Director of Works, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Mrs. Catherine Onyeme, was, on Monday, kidnapped by a six-man gang at her gate post. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, confirmed the stories, adding that the woman was yet to be found

JTF Raids Illegal Oil Bunkerers Den in Delta

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Wednesday raided hide-outs of suspected illegal oil bunkerers in Warri, Delta State. The raid yielded hundreds of drums containing substance suspected to be stolen crude oil and they were carted away, while some arrests were said to have been made. The raid, was said to have been carried out following a report about the activities of illegal oil bunkerers dispensing both PMS, AGO and engine oil from the place to unsuspecting members of the public.

Edo Council Chief Shot Dead

The police in Edo State on Thursday confirmed the killing by suspected armed robbers of the leader of the legislative arm of Etsako-West Council, Ojo Edogiamhe. Edogiamhe was said to have been killed by armed bandits on his way from Warri, Delta State. But the younger brother of the deceased, Peter Edogiamhe, has said the death of his brother was politically-motivated.

Family Wants Investigation into INEC Official's Death in Prison Custody

The family of Miss Amanda Ekhorose Uhunmwagho, a deceased worker of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday called on the police authorities to unravel the mystery surrounding her death in prison custody after an alleged altercation with police officers in Aideyan Police Station, Benin. The family's counsel, Abraham Uhunwagbo, said the late Amanda was detained on Wednesday, August 26, when she visited the police station over a case of fraud in which she was a complainant. The state police spokesman, Peter Ogboi, said the police would not take responsibilities because she did not die in police custody and that autopsy report revealed that the primary cause of her death was "diabetes mellitus" and the secondary cause as "pneumonia and lung abscess."

SARS Nabs 3 Robbery Suspects

Men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have apprehended three youths for alleged armed robbery and attempted murder in Benin City. Police alleged that they conspired to kill a traveller after robbing him of his money, after which, they attempted to drown him. The gang leader, Osadebamwen Felix, admitted to robbing the man of N20, 000 but denied attempting to drown him.

Oil Communities Threaten War

The National Public Relations Officer and Coordinator of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producers of Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Dr. Mike Emu, has hinted that the oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta were gearing up for full scale 'war' with the Federal Government (FG) and the oil companies flaring gas in the Niger Delta region as from October if the 'evil' is not stopped. He accused the Government and the oil companies of collaborating to the detriment of the people.

Abducted Widow Dies in Hostage

A 74-year-old widow who was kidnapped at Illah, Oshimili North LGA of Delta state last November, has died allegedly in the hands of her abductors. Four persons have also been arrested in connection with the incident. The kidnappers had demanded N7 million as ransom. It was not clear whether the abductors killed her as their demand was not met. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, had earlier described the kidnap as an inside job.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Deploy 1,300 Men in Ondo for Gani’s Burial

Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday said about 1,300 policemen would be deployed to the state capital in preparation for the burial of the late human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN. Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Donald Iroham, said in Akure, that security would be tight to ensure that those who came to pay their last respects to the late lawyer did not have any unpleasant experience.

More Praises as Fawehinmi's Funeral Rites Begins

Human Rights Activist, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi (SAN) is dead. Gani died at age 71 after battling with colon cancer. Gani was described as a great philanthropist and an exemplary human being who lived his whole life for humanity and worked tirelessly for the betterment of Nigeria.

Ogundeji Killed By Robbers -Witness

A witness summoned by Magistrate Mukaila Fadeyi of the Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Mr. Suraju Folarin, said the late member of the Editorial Board of Thisday Newspapers, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji, was murdered by armed robbers. Folarin, who testified before both the coroner at the scene of the crime, said on the night of August 17, 2008 when Ogundeji was killed, there was an unidentified lady in the passenger’s seat of his car.

3 Suspected Cocaine Traffickers Arrested

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three traders for attempting to smuggle 4.516 kilogrammes of cocaine worth more than N49 million.The Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the traders were arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos (MMIA). The statement said the suspects, who concealed the drugs by ingestion, were detected by anti-narcotic officers during screening. This comes as the NDLEA is proposing life sentence for convicted drug offenders in the country.

UNILORIN Student Found on Bridge

A 200-level student of the University of Ilorin, Mr. Kazim Adekeye, was on Thursday, found dead hanging under the Oyun Bridge, on the Kwara State Polytechnic road, Ilorin. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dabo Ezekiel, said the police had commenced investigation, while the remains had been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

GENERAL

FG to Meet Labour on Fuel Subsidy

To avoid a possible crippling face-off with labour unions over the proposed removal of fuel subsidy, the Federal Government will soon begin negotiations with labour unions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been very critical of the planned deregulation. The Federal Government said it had spent close to N2 trillion in four years subsiding petroleum products. The removal is expected to be effective as soon as the government moves to the final phase of the deregulation of the downstream sector, later this year.

Aviation Minister Pledges Commitment to Safety on Air

Minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba, on Tuesday lamented that African countries are lagging behind in the enhancement of safety in their airspace. He, however, hinted that the Federal Government was concerned about the situation, which was capable of eroding confidence in air travel. He, however, urged support for zero-accident for the nation, just as he disclosed that Nigeria was in category-two of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Military Authorities Commute Sentence of Jailed Soldiers

Military authorities have commuted the life sentence handed the 27 protesting soldiers early in the year to seven years imprisonment. The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the gesture was due to the authorities’ consideration of plea for mitigation by the lawyers to the soldiers. Olukolade explained that the offence of mutiny is viewed seriously in the military and that the leadership of the Nigerian Army cannot tolerate any trait of it in the system.

Police Reform to Gulp N2.8 Trillion

To effectively implement its constitutional role of maintaining law and order, the nation's police require N2.8 trillion. This was disclosed by the Minister of Police Service Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, on Tuesday. According to him, the ministry was embarking on a review of the Police Act to bring it in line with the envisaged police reforms. In a swift reaction, the FG has promised to raise the needed funds for the reform.

Convicted Drug Peddlers Face Life Sentence

Drug Peddlers caught in the act will now bag the maximum punishment, which is life imprisonment, the Federal Government has said. To this effect, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been mandated to pursue vigorously the application of the punishment to serve as a mitigation to would be illicit drug dealers.

UN Chief Blames Poor Economy for Violence against Women

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, has attributed the scourge of violence against women to the global financial downturn, while she urged some of the world's richest countries to lead the way in turning the many international pledges to support women and girls into concrete results. Migiro said that there was evidence that women and girls are exposed to a greater risk of violence during times of hardship. Migiro called on G8 members to put into practice two earlier recommendations to enhance the rights of women.

3,000 Victims of Human Trafficking Rescued -NAPTIP

Over 3,000 victims of human trafficking have been rescued by the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) since its inception. The Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mr. Simon Chuzi Egede, disclosed this on Monday, adding that females dominated the figure with about 70 per cent.

NAFDAC Proposes Death Sentence for Fake Drug Producers

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has proposed life jail or death penalty on manufacturers and distributors of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria, especially in a situation where it is established that such medicines caused death or severe bodily injury to persons who had used them. Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who disclosed this, said NAFDAC would also "actively encourage and assist victims to gather evidence to enable them successfully sue manufacturers and distributors of these deadly products.

Five Children Killed in Yobe Mine Disaster

Tragedy struck in Fika Council Area of Yobe State, penultimate Thursday when five female teenagers were killed on a hilltop while mining for gypsum. The victims were aged between seven and 16. The Fika Council Chairman, Babayo Waziri, lamented the trapping and killing of the girls.

Libya Deports 140 Nigerians

Libya has commenced massive deportation of Nigerians in the last five days. The deportees, who were seen walking in droves along Airport road towards the Domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, condemned the Libyan government for shabby treatment and also the Federal Government for its insensitivity to their plights. As at the last count, over 600 Nigerians had been so far deported from Libya. Some of the deportees explained that the security officials treated them as slaves and beaten like animals.

Sokoto Provides Relief to Flood Victims

Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State has directed the immediate provision of temporary shelter and relief materials to the victims of the recent flood, which swept hundreds of houses and farm produce across the state. This came as more communities in the state are being affected by torrential flood since August 31, 2009.

OPEC Maintains Output as Oil Nears $73

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has agreed to maintain output quotas at 24.845 million barrels a day on hopes that a recovery in the world economy will keep oil prices high. Oil rallied by more than $1 to $72.44 a barrel on Thursday in the New York Mercantile Exchange. OPEC Secretary-General, Abdalla El Badri, said there are positive signs that demand for oil would pick up in 2010. He urged that member countries to adhere to their production quotas.

FG Calls For Optimizers in Generators to Combat Mast Hazard

The Federal Government has warned on the danger the radiation from the various telecommunications masts erected across the nation could pose to human health. The Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, who disclosed this, urged all operators to install optimizers in all generators located at the base stations to control emission levels from the masts.

Oil Majors Predict $50b Oil, Gas Funding

To ensure the actualisation of plans to strengthen Nigeria's role as a major energy supplier, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), an umbrella body of major oil companies, has predicted that a total of $50 billion would be needed to execute various projects on target. The Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu said that the industry requires many billions of dollars to turn the vision into reality and most of the funding would come from the private sector. Sunmonu explained that companies needed confidence in the long-term stability of the sector to invest the massive amounts required.

Barkindo Voted Alternate Chairman of OPEC Board

Nigeria's representative at the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, was on Wednesday voted as the 'Alternate Chairman,' Board of Governors of OPEC for year 2010. Barkindo would be acting in collaboration with the Governor of Socialist Peoples Libyan, Arab Jamahiriya, Mr. Ahmed M. Elghaber, who was appointed as chairman. Also elected were Germnico Pinto, from Ecuador as president of the conference, and Masoud Mir-Kazemi, from Iran as Alternate President.

Chinese Firm Takes Over Addax

China Petrochemical Corporation, otherwise known as Sinopec Group, has announced a successful acquisition of Addax Petroleum Corporation after nearly six months of due diligence and negotiation. According to a statement by the company, the Group signed the acquisition agreement in June and it was approved by the Chinese regulatory authorities in August. It further noted that the board of directors of Addax Petroleum would soon be replaced.

Navy to Acquire 49 Warships, 42 Helicopters

The Nigerian Navy is seeking FG's approval for the acquisition of 49 different types of warships and 42 combat helicopters to enable it police the nation’s territorial waterways, including the Gulf of Guinea effectively. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim called for the establishment of a Maritime Cabotage Bank to make available maritime-related investment funding.

Police Rescues Kidnapped Indian

The Benue State Police Command, on Sunday, rescued an Indian staff of Olam Nigeria Limited, who was abducted with his driver and a passenger around Anyangba, Kogi State, enroute Makurdi. The state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, said he quickly swung into action, when he got the information. The police boss stated that after a thorough search of the area, his men caught the suspects in a village in Anyangba, where they held their captives.

Govt Pledges Commitment to Reducing Gas Emission -NNPC

The Federal Government said at the weekend that it would continue to initiate plans aimed at reducing emission of greenhouse gases in the nation's oil and gas industry. The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, said the implementation of activities in the industry would help enhance the country's mitigating efforts as a developing nation, adding that they had opted for implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in the country. He said that the CDM implementation encourages and permits the active participation of both private and public sectors.

197 Drug Barons Escape Jail, NDLEA Wants Life Sentence for Drug Peddlers

A scandal with security implications involving the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has been uncovered.  Investigation revealed that about 197 drug barons who were convicted for various drug offences escaped their jail terms without serving one day in prison in connivance with some prison officers and staff of the Federal High Court. Meanwhile the NDLEA has proposed life sentence for those found guilty of drug peddling.

NASS Tightens Security over Threat of Attack

Security has been beefed up at the National Assembly complex following threats by militants to attack strategic infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory. Director of Information and Publications, Mr. Monima Daminabo, noting that the management of the National Assembly was only responding to security reports to forestall any attack on the parliament, said all over the world, terrorists attack places they consider vulnerable and easy to penetrate. At least 52 security personnel had been recruited to join the Sergeant-At-Arms squad.

2 Killed in Kano Auto Crash, 20 Hospitalised

Two people were feared killed in an auto crash in Kano, weekend, while 20 others were hospitalised when their vehicle veered off the road into Kwanar Barde Bridge along Kwanar Danja-Ringim road. Assistant Route Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), in Kano state, SB Bargum, said the accident occurred due to the ignorance of the road by a luxurious bus driver coming from Lagos to Maiduguri. He urged drivers to always obey traffic signs so as to reduce road accidents on our roads, saying his command will wage a total war on overloading.

Nigeria Ready To Partner Britain for Defence –Abbe

The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe, on Monday reiterated Nigeria's commitment to partner with Britain in ensuring peace in the world. Abbe made the assertion while receiving the British High Commission to Nigeria, Bob Dewar. Bob Dewar, on his part, lauded the efforts of the Nigerian government in maintaining peace on the African continent.

Dredging of River Niger Flagged Off

President Yar’Adua, Thursday, re-iterated his administration's determination to do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria emerges as one of the 20 most industrialized nations by the year 2020. He reiterated this at the official flag off of the dredging of the lower Niger River. Yar’Adua, who expressed happiness at the project, revealed that the capital dredging would be completed by the end of January 2010 while the maintenance dredging would be completed by 2011. He disclosed that the second phase of the project which entails dredging of the upper Niger River and River Benue would commence immediately after the completion of the current project.

INTERNATIONAL

UN Laments Floods Surge in West Africa

The United Nations (UN) has raised the toll on the number of people affected by floods in West Africa, to over 592,000 in at least 10 countries. The regional representative of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA), Yvon Edoumou, said more rains, a lack of infrastructure to cope with heavy downpours, and a lack of rainy-season preparations by governments in the region are responsible for the situation.

Israeli Military Killed Mostly Civilians - Rights Group

A human rights group, B’tselem says more than half of the Palestinians killed during Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas in Gaza, January, were civilians. But Israel had said that more than 60 percent of those killed in the military campaign were "terror operatives”. B'tselem released figures, saying that, of the 1387 killed, 773 "did not take part in the hostilities" and, that of those, 320 were minors. Israel says it launched the military operation in late December and early January in Gaza to stop Hamas and other militant groups from firing rockets into the southern parts of the country. Conflicting death tolls have fueled debate and controversy.

Five Die in India's School Stampede

Five students were killed and several wounded after hundreds who were jammed into a narrow school staircase panicked and set off a stampede, on Thursday in the New Delhi, India. Amod Kant, a former police officer and well-known child rights activist, said the students taking the exam were told to move to a higher floor of the school because of heavy rains and flooding on the ground floor. The students ranged from eight to 16 years old.

Over 200 Feared Killed in Sierra Leonean Boat Mishap, Iraqi Bombing

Over 200 people are feared dead in a Sierra Leonean boat mishap on Thursday. Sierra Leonean Police official, Ibrahim Samura, said most of the passengers on board the boat were school children. At least 221 people remained missing. The head of naval rescue mission says 36 people have been saved and 10 bodies have been recovered. While in Iraq, a suicide truck bomber triggered a massive blast in a Kurdish village north of the country early Thursday, killing at least 20 people, officials said. Police Captain, Mohammed Jalal, confirmed it, saying that a second blast was foiled as the driver was killed before he could detonate the explosives.

Crisis Looms as Ex-Foes in Sudan Meet Deadlock

Sudan's former civil war foes have failed to agree on how to conduct a referendum on independence for the south. The United States (U.S.) envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, said north and south Sudanese leaders needed to resolve wrangling over a census, for elections and preparations for the referendum. North and south Sudan fought a two-decade civil war that ended in a 2005 deal, but relations have remained tense and the accord is facing key tests - national elections in 2010 and a referendum on southern independence in 2011.

EU Devises New Strategies for Global Climate Pact

Fearing that a possible global deal on climate change is in danger, European foreign ministers have planned more measures to make sure that countries brace up to global warming. The complexity of disputes between industrialised and developing nations over how to cut greenhouse gas emissions without derailing economic growth have threatened the climate change negotiations. "Time is now short and the need is urgent," British Foreign Minister David Miliband, said. The prime ministers of Sweden and Denmark, meanwhile, were travelling to South Africa and India, two of the world's major polluters, to discuss the climate change treaty.

Sudan's Court Fines Trouser-Wearing Journalist $200

A Sudanese judge, Monday convicted a woman journalist, Lubna Hessein, for violating the public indecency law by wearing trousers outdoors and fined her $200, but did not impose a feared flogging penalty. Lubna was among 13 women arrested July 3, for wearing trousers. Ten of them were fined and flogged two days later. But Hussein and two others decided to go to trial. Hussein said that she would rather go to jail than pay any fine, protesting the nation's strict laws on women's dress. Human rights and political groups in Sudan say the law is in violation of the 2005 constitution drafted after a peace deal ended two decades of war between the predominantly Moslem north and the Christian and animist south Sudan.

Somalia Authorities Detain Hostages Freed by Pirates

A deal to swap three hostages held by Somali pirates with 23 prisoners accused of piracy has been halted by Somali authorities who say they were not informed of the plan. The development stalled what appeared to be the first attempt to exchange hostages for prisoners in Somalia's multimillion-dollar pirate industry. Hostages are usually only released after a ransom payment. The 23 suspected Somali pirates had been held in the Seychelles after being detained by international warships on anti-piracy missions. Seychelles government issued a statement saying the suspects were released because the government lacks evidence needed to prosecute them.

US Remembers September 11 victims

Solemn memorial services in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on Friday marked the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks by Al Qaeda terrorists. Al Qaeda hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. US President, Barack Obama, his wife and White House staff will observe a moment of silence on the South Lawn at 8:46 a.m., the moment Flight 11 hit the north tower.

Man Shoots Family Members, Himself

A man, Denis Carter Sr., 50, of Lousiana, has reportedly shot dead his estranged wife, along with their son and grandson, before turning the gun on himself as police closed in. Carter also shot and critically injured his pregnant daughter-in-law. The shootings occurred Saturday night in the town of Holden, Louisiana. Records indicate that Dennis Carter had been jailed "on three separate occasions in 2009 alone, on three separate charges of violation of a protective order and one charge of aggravated domestic assault.

Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Afghanistan

A car bomb exploded near the entrance to the military airport in Kabul early Tuesday in an attack on an international convoy, killing at least three civilians. Chief of Kabul's criminal investigation department, Abdul Ghafar Sayadzada, said three Afghan civilians were killed and six wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, and said that a suicide car bomber rammed into a NATO convoy.

U.S. Ranks High in Global Arms Sales

Over two-thirds of foreign weapons sales in 2008, a year in which global sales were at a three-year low, involved the United States (U.S.), according to a report. According to reports, a congressional study released on Friday showed that the U.S. participated in 68.4 per cent of the global sales of arms. Italy, the second ranked country, amassed only $3.7 billion in arms sales, while Russia ranked third with sales falling to $3.5 billion in 2008. The report attributed the increase in U.S. sales to "new orders from clients in the Near East and in Asia" as well as continued contracts for equipment and support services with globally based U.S. clients.

Mexican Military Makes Arrest in Brutal Murder of U.S. Citizens in Mexico

The Mexican military has detained a suspected leader, Jose Rodolfo Escajeda, known as El Rikin, of a notorious drug-trafficking family in connection with the July slayings of two U.S. citizens. Escajeda is an alleged ringleader of a drug-trafficking family that runs a 120-mile smuggling corridor on Mexico's border with Texas, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. He has been indicted in the brutal murder of Benjamin LeBaron and his brother-in-law, Luis Widmar, who were beaten and shot to death after armed men stormed their home in Galeana, Mexico.

Mob Action on the Rise As Congolese Spurn Judicial System

Lack of confidence in the legal system of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has prompted a spate of vigilante justice, provoking alarm among law enforcers. The development came as a top United Nations official yesterday decried possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country. Patrick Yav, a lawyer from the Centre for Human Rights, reported a growing number of incidents throughout the country where members of the public mete out summary justice on criminals caught red-handed, rather than relying on the courts. Such vigilante justice is a reflection of the desperate state of the country's increasingly cash-strapped judicial system.

Man Arrested in Connection to 9 Deaths

Milwaukee police have arrested a man in connection to slayings of nine women dating back to 1986. Police Chief Edward Flynn said that Walter Ellis, 49 was arrested Saturday. Prosecutors said he faces two counts of first-degree murder and more charges are expected. Police said Ellis' DNA was found on the bodies of nine women who were killed between 1986 and 2007. Investigators believe eight were prostitutes and one was a runaway. They ranged in age from 16 to 41. Records show that Ellis pleaded no contest in 1998 to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless injury. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Uganda Gets Access to Car to Attack Rebels

Ugandan troops have reportedly crossed into the neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) in pursuit of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, according to defence spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Felix Kulayigye. Kulayigye disclosed that CAR authorities agreed to their operation in the country because the terrorists have been killing civilians there too. The LRA, which has been active since 1988, is considered to be one of the world's most brutal guerrilla groups.

Ethiopia at Risk of Pre-Election Violence 2010 -Report

A new report has warned that Ethiopia could suffer ethnic violence next year ahead of its first national elections since a 2005 poll triggered street clashes. The report by the International Crisis Group (ICG), warned of the potential for a violent eruption of conflict ahead of the election scheduled for May 2010 because of rising ethnic tensions and dissent. The 2005 elections ended in bloodshed after the government declared victory and the opposition cried foul. Police and soldiers then killed about 200 people who had taken to the streets in protest.